Several thousand ducks (150,000 +/- are on the Grassey Island Unit of the Federal Refuge. Most of the water levels around 2 to 4 feet - lots of Lilly Pads & moss to feed in. Tri Bar - Home Basin - Goose Basin - Snaggy Basin- Buzzard Slough - - Devil's Race Track - Black Jack Pocket was full of Ducks this afternoon.

Open water blinds should do well on opening day, we have not had this many ducks on the Grassey Island Unit on opening day in a long time, low water in West Tennessee and along the Mississippi River Basin has helped. Water is the key as always when you duck hunt.

Other areas of the lake with lots of lilly pads have lots of ducks also -- including Grassy Bend & Forked Pond areas

Big Ronaldson area has a few thousand ducks also mostly Gladwalls & Teal very low water level in this area - need Go-Devils or Air Boats to get to these areas.

Opening day should by very good but we will have a low lake and lots of coot hunters as always. About 30% of the Duck Blinds do not have water around them. Lake could lock up very easy from ice if we get a hard cold front. Lake Level is 280.66' msl (mean sea level) this morning on USGS gauge at TWRA's office almost 2'feet low from pool level at the top of spillway gates.
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I've only hunted the Hickman Harbor twice on an invite hunt. Had a great time and killed a few birds. The water is going to be a huge factor this year as a lot of people will not be able to hunt the places they traditionaly do. But when the water is right the Upper Bottoms can be outstanding in the timber.